3 laser treatment options to consider for tattoo removal
Not as in love with your tattoos as you once were? Lucky for you, you no longer have to see and live with ink you’ve outgrown because laser tattoo removal makes it possible to make that ink fade away completely.
Laser tattoo removal works by targeting the pigment in the skin’s dermis, the layer between the outer epidermis and the deeper subcutaneous tissue. It’s a highly effective procedure, but not all tattoo removal treatments are made equal.
Before you book an appointment, it’s important that you understand exactly how it works and what your options are – and that’s what we’re here to talk about today!
How does laser tattoo removal work?
Laser tattoo removal remains the most effective option for eliminating unwanted ink and restoring your skin’s natural appearance.
The treatment works by targeting individual ink particles with precise laser beams, breaking them down into smaller fragments. Once the particles are small enough, your body’s natural processes absorb and eliminate them over time.
Some might say laser tattoo removal is like magic, and in a way, it is. That’s because even the darkest, most stubborn tattoos can fade away with the right laser tattoo treatment.
Just a friendly reminder that laser tattoo removal can often be more painful and difficult than the actual process of getting a tattoo, but it remains a safe and effective procedure.
What are the different options for laser tattoo removal?
Thanks to recent developments in laser technology, there are now at least 3 types of tattoo removal lasers commonly used in clinics, each with its own pros and cons.
The Ruby laser
The Ruby laser operates at a 694 nm wavelength and is primarily effective for removing dark pigments such as black and blue tattoo ink. However, it tends to be less effective on lighter colours like green, red, and yellow, which may require more sessions or alternative lasers to treat effectively.
One of its benefits is that it generally results in minimal scarring and requires relatively low aftercare, making it suitable for areas with slower healing, such as the hands, feet, and legs. That said, Ruby lasers are now less commonly used due to the rise of more versatile technologies like the Q-switched Nd:YAG and Picosecond lasers.
The Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, 1064 nm)
Nd:YAG lasers are among the most widely used for tattoo removal due to their dual-wavelength capabilities:
The 1064 nm wavelength targets dark pigments like black, brown, and dark blue, while the 532 nm wavelength is designed for brighter colours like red, orange, and yellow.
One of the advantages of the 1064 nm wavelength is its deeper skin penetration, which reduces the risk of hypopigmentation and textural changes, especially in individuals with darker skin tones. Because the laser bypasses the outer skin layers, the likelihood of post-treatment complications is lower compared to other types of lasers.
These features make the Nd:YAG laser a versatile and safe option across a wide range of skin types and ink colours.
The Alexandrite laser
The Alexandrite laser, which emits at a 755 nm wavelength, is highly effective at targeting green, blue, and black tattoo pigments. It is particularly useful for removing green ink, which is often more resistant to other laser types.
It can be used for both amateur and professional tattoos, offering a balance between pigment targeting and tissue safety. However, some individuals may experience temporary hyperpigmentation after treatment—this is usually mild and resolves within a few weeks.
How many laser tattoo removal treatments do you need?
How many sessions you’ll need will depend on the size, age and pigmentation depth, as well as whether it’s done by an amateur or a professional.
As a general rule, the larger the tattoo and the deeper the ink, the more sessions are required to remove it completely.
Professional tattoos typically require an average of 8 sessions, while amateur tattoos usually need around 4 to 5 sessions.